Dancer met Sumi’s gaze with pride gleaming brightly in his eyes. “Yaya, Matarra, and Da, allow me to present to you Princess Sumi of the Most Sovereign Blood Clan of eton Anatole.”

A knowing smile lifted one corner of his grandmother’s lips. “Is she the one you allowed the honor of touching you, Dancer?”

“She is, Yaya.”

His grandmother inclined her head respectfully to them both. “Then it is with your paran’s sword that she will fight and defeat the lesser lineaged. My gift to you both and I hope she runs it straight through Dariana’s treacherous gut.” His grandmother placed her right hand over her heart. “It is my most privileged honor to meet you, Princess.”

Sumi wasn’t sure how to respond. “The honor is all mine, Ger Tarra War Hauk.”

That seemed to be correct.

Laughing, his father clapped Dancer on the shoulder. “You are my son.”

Sumi didn’t miss the look of pain that flitted across his features over his father’s praise.

His mother, however, wasn’t quite so accepting. “What were you thinking, Dancer? This will be a scandal to your blood!”

“But no more so than what you did to Ferral, Endine.” Cairistiona came forward to confront her. “Seems poetic, doesn’t it? You stole a lineage and my daughter restores what should have been.”

Still, his mother refused to back down. “You never wanted Ferral Hauk.”

“And Dariana never wanted Dancer. Again, restoration.” Cairistiona placed her hand on Dancer’s shoulder and smiled tenderly at him. “I look forward to the day I officially welcome you to the Most Sovereign Blood Clan of eton Anatole. And speaking of…” She stepped back and held her hand out.

It was only then Sumi saw Fain, who approached them slowly. Like her and Cairistiona, he was dressed in the bloodred color that only a direct member of the royal family could wear.

“Endine, allow me to present my other son. I don’t believe you’ve met him. Prince Fain of the Most Sovereign Blood Clan of eton Anatole.”

Sumi’s jaw went slack. As did Dancer’s.

Endine, however, looked as if she’d swallowed her tongue and a round of bile.

Like any proud, doting mother, Cairistiona brushed her hand tenderly through Fain’s braids. “It seems this fierce, decorated male had no lineage of his own. Given the selfless, noble service he has provided to my son and granddaughter over the years, I have offered him mine.” She arched a brow at Endine. “Are you refusing to honor my son?”

Endine finally bowed to Fain. As did his father and grandmother.

But there was no satisfaction in Fain’s eyes. Only bitter regret. Until he glanced to Dancer then he blanched.

Fain caught him as Dancer’s knees buckled. He lowered him slowly to the ground. “Syn!”

Sumi held Dancer’s head until Syn brought a stretcher for him.